Courtyard makeover

If you want to give your masonry or rendered wall a quick pick-me-up, a vertical timber screen is just the thing!
- by
Better Homes and Gardens

27 Jul
2016

Phil Aynsley

1. Before you start, paint the existing wall going behind it in a bright colour to make the timber screen really ‘pop’ (we used three colours side-by-side – Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Burning Brier, Red Clown and Tango). Next, fix a 45 x 45mm timber batten along the top and bottom of the wall, paint it as well, then nail on timber lengths in various widths using a spirit level to help with spacing.

Phil Aynsley

Deck in a box

2. Multi-level decks can be complex to build, but the whole process can be simplified by using a modular deck system. Here, our deck has a top level of about 2 x 3m, a lower ‘day bed’ level of 1 x 3m and two 1 x 1m step platforms. Each level is made of multiples of 1116mm² modules linked together. These kits are approved for decks less than 1m high, with frames available for both domestic and commercial use. Also, the components weigh no more than 20kg each.

Phil Aynsley

Growing up

3. Add life and colour to the walls of your courtyard or backyard with a vertical garden. You can make your own from scratch or buy DIY modular kits that take out all the guesswork. Here, we used the Holman GreenWall Vertical Planting Kit (available from Bunnings stores nationally, $99). Each kit comes with a panel that can hold up to eight small removable pots, which means you can easily replace or swap plants as you wish. The panel can also be connected to more panels to make a bigger garden. And to water, just attach a hose to any of the side connections as each pot has its own dripper.

Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley

Love the look of this modular decking? Click here for the decking instructions.